March 18, 2002 -- On March 14, 2002, Monsanto Company submitted regulatory data on Roundup Ready soybeans to the Chinese government to enable
continuing trade of these widely grown soybeans. The submission is the first under China's new biotechnology regulations.

China recently promulgated new regulations requiring safety certificates for import of crops improved through biotechnology. Agricultural
biotechnology companies, such as Monsanto, must submit information on food, feed and environmental safety for review. Negotiations
with U.S. trade representatives resulted in a compromise that sets a transition period of nine months during which normal trade can
continue after the new safety certification and labeling rules take effect on March 20, 2002. Preliminary safety certificates will be issued
within 30 days to importers that provide documents certifying the country-of-origin or safety certification for genetically modified organisms
(GMOs), China's Ministry of Agriculture said in an announcement posted in Nongmin Ribao (Farmers' Daily).

In addition to the submission for Roundup Ready soybeans, Monsanto plans to submit data for its other genetically modified crops to
China's Ministry of Agriculture by March 20. These include YieldGard Corn Borer corn, Roundup Ready corn, Roundup Ready canola,
Bollgard cotton and Roundup Ready cotton.

"We're committed to making regulatory submissions in key markets to support our customers and their ability to sell their crops," , says Dr.
Jerry Hjelle, Monsanto vice president of regulatory affairs.

Monsanto has provided information on its biotech products at Monsanto.com to assist grain
traders in completing their own documentation for imports into China.